Bangladesh cricket fraternity on Saturday received a massive jolt when the news of three cricketers, recently retired former national skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, former opener Nafees Iqbal and left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam, contracting COVID-19 virus broke out on the same day.
Mashrafe, who is a member of parliament from the Narail-2 constituency, gave sample for the virus detection test on Friday after experiencing a mild fever for the last few days.
His result came on Saturday where he tested positive for the virus, his brother Mursalin Bin Mortaza confirmed.
‘He was experiencing mild fever; his body temperature was 101 degree. His sample was taken yesterday [Friday] and the result came today around 1:30pm. He is resting at home. He has no other complications,’ said his younger brother.
Later Mashrafe confirmed his illness through his official Facebook page.
‘Today [Saturday] I was diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. Everyone please pray for me so that I can come round soon… I am staying at home and taking necessary treatments by maintaining the health protocols.’
Mashrafe, earlier, came to Dhaka for the treatment of his mother in law, his wife’s sister and her kids after all of them tested positive for the virus, Narail civil surgeon Abdul Monem told.
‘A few days back, Mashrafe’s mother-in-law Hosne Ara was tested positive for the virus and her samples were collected and tested here,’ informed Momen.
Mashrafe, who had taken various initiatives in his constituency to tackle the COVID-19 situation, had also attended the budget sessions in the Jatiya Sangsad and a number of MPs who had attended those sessions have later tested positive for the virus.
Nafees, on the other hand, had tested positive for the virus a few days ago and was currently in isolation at his family home in Chattogram.
Nafees, who was coaching Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity in this year’s Dhaka Premier League, sent a voice message to the media where he sought everyone’s prayers and well wishes.
‘10 days ago I was feeling feverish. For two days my body temperature was high. I lost my appetite, felt very weak. Then I gave sample for the test and the result came that I am COVID-19 positive,’ said Nafees.
‘Now I am recovering, staying isolated at home. I am being well taken care of by my family. I seek your prayers and blessings for quick recovery.’
Nazmul, who had been working tirelessly to provide food and other aids to the suffering people around Narayanganj area, also tested positive on Saturday.
‘I went to Narsingdi to distribute relief goods. My body temperature got high and I felt ill. I provided my sample and found out today [Saturday] that I am COVID-19 positive. I was staying away from my family in a separate room as I was distributing aids, I will stay that way.’
Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Imrul kayes and many other cricketers asked for prayers for the infected cricketers, while Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh expressed their solidarity and well wishes. -new age
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